Sex Toys and Texas
by Louise Livesey // 7 March 2008, 15:39
We can sell something that looks like a penis as long as it doesn't vibrate and something which vibrates so long as it doesn't look like a penis
Rightwing legislators are trying to strike down the de-criminalisation of sex toys in Texas.
Under Texas law it is illegal to sell, advertise, give or lend obscene devices, defined as a device used primarily for sexual stimulation. Anyone in possession of six or more sexual devices is considered to be promoting them.
From Statesman.com
You can sell "educational demonstrators" and "personal massagers" however and, surprisingly butt-plugs. In Texas the anus is not considered a sexual orifice and so butt-plugs are legal, however homosexual and heterosexual sodomy is not. So you can put silicone there but not flesh.
Pandagon over at Alternet.org has more, including a very educational video about the history of the legislation over time and the men who introduce it - which is where the opening quote comes from.
For those who are interested the town of Dildo is in Newfoundland.
Image by Edgeplot used under Commons Creative licence
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Zoe // Posted 09 March 2008 at 05:51
Actually, the law banning sodomy was struck down by the supreme court of the US several years ago in the landmark case Lawrence v. Texas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas
Lara // Posted 09 March 2008 at 06:11
I can just imagine what's going through these male legislators' minds:
"Only us manly men can stick our penises in your vaginas! Waaah, that's not fair to use dildos! You have no right stimulating yourself without the intervention of a penis! Whaaaaaa!!!!"
Strip clubs, from the "swank" joints of downtown Houston to the shady little strip shacks of small Texan towns, are EVERYWHERE and numerous in Texas. And yet women are not allowed to use sex toys. Unfuckinbelievable.
Louise Livesey // Posted 09 March 2008 at 13:20
You're right it was, what the video talks about is it's re-introduction to the legislature last year.